Indianapolis - Marion County Public Library Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

Programs are designed to help children become more capable, enthusiastic readers and to support healthy social, emotional, and physical development. Offered at all 25 library locations throughout the city, these programs are free and available for everyone to participate, reducing the cost barrier for low-to-moderate income families. Examples of major children's programs are: summer reading program - children can earn prizes and incentives for minutes read, contributing to a community reading goal of 15 million minutes. Participants can also participate in activities hosted by each branch that align with the annual theme. On the road to reading-each month, the library provides story programs to approximately 60 childcare facilities, specifically targeting low- and moderate-income areas. Each session consists of story time and a delivery of bags filled with picture books for children to enjoy between visits, as well as early literacy professional development for childcare providers. Preschool programs-preschool children engage in learning through interactive activities. Preschool programs allow children and preschoolers to experience art, music, sports, and more. Early literacy staff- private funds support the library's herbert simon early literacy specialist who oversees and evaluates childhood literacy programming, as well as part-time outreach staff who implement on the road to reading. Dia del nino- a bilingual early literacy program, this event partners with community organizations to promote reading/learning in spanish and english. Other programs geared toward youth include bilingual story time, author visitors, and age-specific book clubs.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 63.6%; rating input score 64
• Program expense ratio: 67.5%; rating input score 67
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.08 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 30.4%; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 8.43; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.6%; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 0.1% per year; rating input score 100; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1% per year; rating input score 100; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.7% per year; rating input score 100; 21st percentile among comparable filings